Kelechi Iheanacho has been included on the 30 man shortlist for the African Footballer of the Year award.

The honour confirms global recognition of a stunning 12 months with Manchester City , during which the 20-year-old has forced his way into the senior squad under Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola.

Nigerian striker Kelechi has three goals in nine appearances this season, and his stellar rise has been enough to convince Guardiola and the City hierarchy not to spend big money on another striker to compete with Sergio Aguero.

Iheanacho finished on 14 goals and seven assists in 35 appearances last term under Pellegrini, with many coming as a subsitute.

The City youngster will face competition from the likes of last year's winner, Borussia Dortmund striker Pïerre-Emerick Aubameyang, as well as Manchester United defender Eric Bailly and Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez.

However, Yaya Toure, who has won the award four times and was named BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2015 after captaining Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations success, has been omitted after being frozen out under Guardiola.

The winner is decided by a vote of coaches and technical directors of African teams, and will be announced in January.